Mayflower Arkansas joins Joplin Missouri and Greenvill Kanasas.

A spokesperson for Faulkner County, Arkansas gives a press conference about ongoing search and rescue operations after tornadoes swept through the area on Sunday, killing at least 16.

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Mayflower is one of those towns tucked beside the interstate that appears to hang on by a thread. It is surrounded by Conway, Maumelle and Little Rock, Arkansas. The urban life appears to have just passed them by.

The town and the surrounding county only appear to be laid back, and unmotivated. In reality they are strong resilient individuals who care about their neighbors. This is a good thing.

In the past two years they have experienced both a man made natural disaster. And they are in the mist of cleaning up after a major tornado decimated the commercial district as well as in outlying homes. Several deaths have been reported.

What does Mayflower have in common with Joplin, Missouri and Greenville, Kansas? Both of the towns were devastated by tornados which wiped out the entire town or a major part of the critical commercial, city and county governmental facilities. Both of these towns planed their way back to prosperity.

The manmade disaster was an oil leak from a old pipe line that was still in uses. Many of the residents were forced to leave their homes because of contamination. There was also an ecological concern because oil showing up in water ways and ground water. While the oil company has cleaned the spill site by removing contaminated soil and replacing it with new sterile top soil, many of the residents have not returned to their homes. These homes were also affected by the tornado.

All of these events have provided an opportunity to support each other and other cities and towns when they are in need. And even with their need they are help support in Conway, Morrilton and other Arkansans who need their assistance.

Both man and nature can combine to create disasters but what comes out on the other side is dependent upon the people.

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Bruce Jordan has a degree in Forestry from Colorado State University. In his 30 plus year career he has been responsible for environmental compliance, industrial health, and safety compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. He brings a unique perspective to today’s environmental discussions.

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